Workplace violence seminar set

April 27, 2013

STEUBENVILLE - It is a scenario nobody thinks will happen. An angry husband walks into a building where his wife works armed with a handgun and begins shooting.

A training session for supervisors and managers is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Friday at the Jefferson County Job and Family Services Department. The two-hour session is sponsored by job and family services and A.L.I.V.E.

Jodi Scheetz, A.L.I.V.E. executive director, said invitations were sent out for the event through the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, but the training session is free and open to anyone. A representative of Tri-County Family Violence Prevention Coalition of Canton will be the presenter.

Scheetz said domestic violence does spill over into the workplace. The person being abused may miss work or not be as productive on the job because of what is going on at home, Scheetz said. The abuser also may be making multiple calls to the workplace. The worst case scenario is the abuser showing up at the spouse's or girlfriend's place of employment.

"The potential is there for it to happen anywhere," Scheetz said.

Scheetz said the presentation will help supervisors and managers understand what can be done to help the victim. She said supervisors can be compassionate and sympathetic and try to offer help but many times supervisors don't want to be bothered.

"This does not help the situation for the worker," Scheetz said.

She added coworkers also can help by trying to keep the victim safe.

Persons attending the seminar also are eligible for one credit of external training from the county safety council.

For information on the training program, contact A.L.I.V.E. at (740) 283-3444.